First round of Junos goes to Feist and Sheepdogs (with video)

Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen04.02.2012

Feist, seen here in a 2010 file photo, was in Ottawa for the festivities, and added another two awards to her lifetime total.OLIVIER MORIN
/ AFP/Getty Images

MonkeyJunk, from left, Matt Sobb, Steve Marriner and Tony D., won the Award for Blues Album of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Murray Porter at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Sam Roberts at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

The Wailin’ Jenny’s won for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year (group) at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Simple Plan won the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Derek Charke at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Kiran Ahluwalia holds her award for World Music Album of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Guests have their pictures taken at the reception of the JUNO Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Sonia Johnson at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Shaun Majumder from the satirical television show This Hour has 22 Minutes hams it up as character “Horny Jay,” sporting full rocker attire and a classic mullet, backstage at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Brian Howes won the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Stretch Orchestra won the Award for Instrumental Album of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Jeff Harrison and Kim Ridgewell won for Recording Package of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

The Phil Dwyer Orchestra at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Dan Mangan, left, winner of the Alternative Album of the Year, is interviewed for a mock radio show segment for comedian Shaun Majumder, who was in full character as “Horny Jay,” behind the scenes at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Ken Mode won the first ever Juno Award for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

The Arkells won for Group of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Gary Slaight at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Sam Roberts, left, is interviewed for a mock radio show by comedian Shaun Majumder, in full character as “Horny Jay,” behind the scenes at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Charlie Hope won for Children’s Album of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

Dan Mangan won for Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2012.David Kawai
/ Ottawa Citizen

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OTTAWA — Saskatchewan rockers Sheepdogs and indie darling Feist were the big winners in the first round of Juno Awards, handed out Saturday during an industry-only gala dinner at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

The Sheepdogs, who are touring in Australia and were among the many winners unable to attend the gala, picked up the first two Junos of their career. In New Group of the Year, they dominated a field that included great bands like Rural Alberta Advantage, Mother Mother, Braids and Hey Rosetta! They were also a surprise winner of the Rock Album of the Year trophy, beating out established acts Sloan, Sam Roberts Band and Matthew Good.

The band heard about their win within minutes and responded on Twitter: “Just heard we won Rock Album Of The Year at the #JUNOAwards. Very excited. Is 8am in Perth too early to start celebrating?”

Feist, on the other hand, was one of the biggest stars in Ottawa for Saturday’s festivities, adding another two awards to her lifetime total. Her latest album, Metals, was named the year’s best adult-alternative album award, while her DVD, Look at What The Light Did Now, earned the Music DVD of the Year award for producers Jannie McInnes, Chip Sutherland and Anthony Seck.

In a fitted black-and-gold dress, Feist looked surprised to hear her name called in the adult-alternative category. “I really didn’t know this category was up tonight so I’m shocked,” she said, going on to praise the “fortitude, belief and sense of humour” of the team that helps bring her creations to fruition.

It was also a landmark night for Vancouver pop-punk band Hedley, who won Pop Album of the Year, only the second award of their career, despite 18 nominations over the last six years. “Thank you so much,” said singer Jacob Hoggard. “We didn’t see that coming.”

Group of the Year went to Hamilton’s Arkells, not Nickelback, Hedley, Sam Roberts or Down With Webster. The band members joked about how their win will make them the target of Twitter attacks by Hedley fans.

Popular Toronto-based rapper Drake earned his first Juno Award (for rap recording of the year), but was not in town to accept it. Neither was Melanie Fiona, who won the R&B/Soul award, nor Ottawa native Bruce Cockburn, whose Small Comforts album was named the best Roots and Traditional Album, Solo. The Roots & Trad Group award went to Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys, who were bubbling with excitement.

In all, winners in 34 categories were announced, many of them first-time nominees who never expected to win. This year, 99 nominees were celebrating their first Juno recognition, a record number according to CARAS president Melanie Berry.

Artist after artist expressed their surprise, including Dan Mangan, the formerly unkown singer-songwriter who raked in a whopping four nominations this year. On Saturday, his acclaimed album, Oh Fortune, picked up the award for Alternative Album of the year. “I honestly came here with no expectations whatsoever,” said the bearded Vancouverite, whose parents and finace were in the audience. “I’m a big fan of all the other bands (in the category) so this is mindblowing.”

Ottawa blues trio MonkeyJunk was another rookie act to score a win, made even sweeter by the fact that it happened in the city they grew up in, on the eve of their fourth anniversary as a band. “No better win like a home town win,” said band member Steve Marriner. “It feels great.”

The band thanked its fans, calling them Monkeyjunkies, and gave props to the other nominees in the category, whom they consider friends.

Backstage, drummer Matt Sobb attributed the success to the work that went into their award-winning second album, To Behold. He said they took more time with the writing and production, and had plenty of help from Almonte-area engineer Ken Friesen, who co-produced the album with Marriner. “Really, the whole process was probably more thought out and more meticulous,” Sobb said.

“We just played better,” added Marriner.

Touring has also been a key factor in the rapid rise of MonkeyJunk, who got their start during a weekly open stage at Irene’s Pub. “Night after night, that’s how you get a hold of the true believers,” said guitarist Tony Diteodoro. “This band really got its reputation from touring, from Europe to North America.”

“This is a huge surprise and a great honour,” said Jesse Stewart, another first-timer delighted to win in his hometown. The Ottawa-based musician and his group, the Stretch Orchestra, picked up the award for the eclectic Instrumental Album of the year category. “We’re shocked,” added bandmate Matt Brubeck.

Speaking of firsts, the first award of the night was a first for the Junos, recognizing the new category of best Metal/Hard Music album. Canadian metal veterans Anvil were widely expected to reel in the trophy, but instead it went to the metallic noise-rock of Winnipeg’s KENmode.

The music industry also paid tribute to veteran broadcaster Gary Slaight and rockers Simple Plan. Slaight received the Walt Grealis Award in recognition of his long career as an industry builder, while Simple Plan was honoured with the Allan Waters Humanitarian award for their fund-raising efforts in helping young people.

The remaining awards will be handed out Sunday during a live-television event from Scotiabank Place, to be hosted by William Shatner.

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First round of Junos goes to Feist and Sheepdogs (with video)

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